No More Learning

Can we think a few old cells
were left--we are left--
grains of honey,
old dust of stray pollen
dull on our torn wings,
we are left to recall the old streets?

Is our task the less sweet
that the larve still sleep in their cells?
Or crawl out to attack our frail strength:
You are useless. We live.
We await great events.
We are spread through this earth.
We protect our strong race.
You are useless.
Your cell takes the place
of our young future strength.

Though they sleep or wake to torment
and wish to displace our old cells--
thin rare gold--
that their larve grow fat--
is our task the less sweet?

Though we wander about,
find no honey of flowers in this waste,
is our task the less sweet--
who recall the old splendour,
await the new beauty of cities?




_The city is peopled
with spirits, not ghosts, O my love:_

_Though they crowded between
and usurped the kiss of my mouth
their breath was your gift,
their beauty, your life. _

[Illustration]

CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE,
LONDON.

+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Transcriber's Notes |
| |
| Page 10: torse _sic_ |
| Page 11: lower case amended to title case ("your shoulders |
| are level" amended to "Your shoulders are level").
|
| Page 14: tassle amended to tassel |
| Page 15: scavanger's amended to scavenger's |
| Page 16: chickory amended to chicory |
| Page 26: fragant amended to fragrant |
| Page 30: lower case amended to title case ("they say there |
| is no hope" amended to "They say there is no hope"). |
| Page 46: larve _sic_ |
| |
| "The City is peopled" did not appear with a title in the |
| original edition. |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+





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